The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Watery milk can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like watery milk here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here watery milk is often associated with no feeling of distension of the breasts, fatigue and poor appetite in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause watery milk.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of watery milk we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat watery milk.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause watery milk
In Chinese Medicine watery milk is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to watery milk, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include no feeling of distension of the breasts, fatigue and poor appetite.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to watery milk, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, no feeling of distension of the breasts and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to watery milk, other symptoms associated with Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency include insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth, no feeling of distension of the breasts and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency is often treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with watery milk
Milk Boost Tea
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Promotes healthy breast milk production*
Rating: from 127 customer reviews
Why might Milk Boost Tea help with watery milk?
Designed by Me & Qi's expert practitioners to tackle some of the patterns that can cause watery milk, Milk Boost Tea is a 100% natural and vegan product composed solely of the 13 herbs listed in its ingredients.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with watery milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which watery milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan
Why might Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan help with watery milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which watery milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Source date: 1174 AD
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Nourishes the Heart. Calms the spirit.
Why might Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang help with watery milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency' of which watery milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Tong Ru Dan
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Removes Stagnation from the breast connecting Meridians.
Why might Tong Ru Dan help with watery milk?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which watery milk is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Low Breast Milk Supply.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat watery milk
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with watery milk?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat watery milk as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Tong Ru Dan for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with watery milk?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat watery milk as a symptom, like Cang Fu Dao Tan Wan or Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with watery milk?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat watery milk as a symptom, like Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang or Ba Zhen Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with watery milk?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat watery milk as a symptom, like Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang or Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with watery milk?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat watery milk as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Ba Zhen Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
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Conditions associated with watery milk
Other symptoms often associated with watery milk
Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth No feeling of distension of the breasts Fatigue Pale face Pale lips Poor appetite Breast distention Irritability Dry skin Hair loss